Makar Sankranti - Indian

I am Makar Sankranti, a festival that marks a very special moment in the sun’s yearly journey through the sky. My name is made of two Sanskrit words that explain exactly who I am. 'Makar' is the name for the Capricorn zodiac sign, and 'Sankranti' means transition. So, my name literally means the sun's transition into Capricorn. This is an important astronomical event because it signals the end of the cold winter season and the beginning of longer, warmer, and sunnier days. Because my timing is directly connected to the sun's position and not the phases of the moon, people in India can count on me arriving on almost the same date every year. You will find my celebrations taking place on either January 14th or 15th on the Gregorian calendar.

At my heart, I am a festival of gratitude, celebrated to honor Surya, the Hindu sun god. People give thanks to the sun for its life-giving energy. Without the sun’s warmth and light, crops would not be able to grow, and the harvest would not be possible. For farming communities, my arrival is a time of great joy and relief. It marks the culmination of the winter harvest, a time to celebrate the bounty of the earth and the rewards of many months of hard work. The air is filled with happiness as families and communities gather to enjoy the foods made from freshly harvested sugarcane, rice, and sesame seeds. I represent a moment to pause and appreciate the fundamental connection between the sun, the land, and the food that sustains everyone.

Many of my most cherished traditions are sweet ones. Across India, people prepare and share special treats made from two key ingredients of the winter harvest: sesame seeds, known as 'til,' and a type of unrefined cane sugar called jaggery, or 'gul.' In the state of Maharashtra, this tradition is especially meaningful. People exchange little candies made from these ingredients, called 'tilgul.' As they offer the sweets to friends, family, and neighbors, they say a special phrase: 'Tilgul ghya, goad goad bola.' This translates to, 'Accept this sweet and speak sweet words.' This custom serves as a beautiful reminder for people to let go of any past disagreements or bitter feelings and to start the new season with friendship, kindness, and positive words. Alongside the sweets, many also enjoy preparing and eating a warm, savory dish of rice and lentils called khichdi.

In some parts of India, people look to the skies to celebrate me. In the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, my arrival transforms the sky into a vibrant canvas of color. This tradition is also known as Uttarayan. People of all ages, from young children to their grandparents, gather on rooftops and in open fields to fly wonderfully crafted kites. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and laughter as thousands of kites dance in the wind. Long ago, it was believed that this joyful activity was a good way for people to spend time outdoors and soak up the gentle, healthy rays of the morning sun after being inside during the colder winter months. Many people enjoy friendly competitions, skillfully maneuvering their kites and trying to see whose can fly the highest or stay in the air the longest.

While many people know me by the name Makar Sankranti, I am a festival with many names and many faces, celebrated all across India with unique and beautiful customs. My spirit of harvest and renewal is expressed in different ways depending on the region. In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, for example, I am known as Pongal. Pongal is a grand four-day harvest festival dedicated to the sun god. In the northern state of Punjab, people celebrate me as Lohri on the night before my main day. For Lohri, communities light huge bonfires and celebrate with energetic music and dancing. Far in the northeast, in the state of Assam, I am called Magh Bihu. This celebration is a time for delicious community feasts, traditional games, and building temporary huts from bamboo and thatch, which are later burned in a bonfire. Each of these celebrations is different, yet they all share my core message of gratitude for the harvest and the joy of a new season.